Damascene Swartland Syrah

The DAMASCENE founders were united by three passions; the pursuit of excellence, a spirit of discovery, and the desire to preserve nature through sustainable agriculture. Wine entrepeneur David Curl (the former owner of Chateau Gaby in Canon-Fronsac) had begun discussions with winemaker Jean Smit about his involvement in Moya Meaker wines; an Elgin-based winery focussing on premium cool-climate Burgundy cultivars. From three divergent Swartland sites. Soils of granite, schist, shale and ferricrete act as building blocks to achieve striking, harmonious balance. The purity, perfume and spice of granite-grown fruit is complemented by the more earthy tones of grapes harvested from shale and schist outcrops, imbuing the wine with structure and depth. Winemaker Tasting Notes: By far the moodiest of the Damascene Syrah trio, the Swartland expression opens with impressive aromatic depth; showing wild blackberries, aniseed, mulberries, and savoury Kalamata olive tapenade. The weighty palate keeps pace with the vanguard, possessing the power to support vivid ripe blackberry and black plum fruit, underpinned by tightly-wound, firm black cherry skin tannins. The muscled fruit core is garnished with star anise, Sichuan pepper, and accents of clove, along with subtle touches of red peppercorn on the plum-laden finish. 12.93% abv